News
Pembrokeshire colleagues named ‘Covid Hero Team’ in national care awards
A GROUP of Pembrokeshire colleagues has been hailed a ‘Covid Hero Team’ after claiming the title in a national care sector awards scheme.
Co-workers at Bangeston Hall in Pembroke Dock, which provides care for adults with autism, took the title at the Welsh regional finals of the Great British Care Awards and will now represent Wales in the same category at the UK finals this Spring.
Staff at Bangeston Hall, which is run by Orbis Education and Care, were rewarded by judges for being ‘joined as one in the common and intended purpose’ of providing quality, meaningful activities to maintain a good and valued quality of life every day throughout the pandemic.
Jemma Erasmus, manager at Bangeston Hall, said the team were conscious of their community presence, so they created their own special tribute to the county’s key workers by positioning rainbows at the entrance to the site, among other things.
Jemma said: “My team has gone above and beyond to assist the people we support throughout the pandemic, coming up with innovative ideas for activities and ensuring that the home has remained safe and run as smoothly as possible within that time.
“They have had to be particularly imaginative and creative in their approaches to care and learning which has resulted in amazing and significant success. The people we support are happy. They enjoy their days and have not been anxious as a result of restrictions and alterations to their very important routines and structures.
“I am immensely proud of them and absolutely delighted that the dedication and compassion they have shown throughout the pandemic has been recognised in this way. They are all winners in my eyes,” Jemma added.
Orbis runs 17 schools, residential homes and day facilities for children and adults with complex needs associated with autism and is one of the UK’s leading specialist providers, claiming three wins overall at the Wales regional finals of the Great British Care Awards.
Support Worker Tristan Harris was also awarded the ‘Dignity in Care Award’ for his work at Dan y Coed in Swansea, and Head of Academy Living Kris Davies received the ‘Care Frontline Leader Award’ at the Welsh regional finals. All three will now go on to represent Wales in their respective categories at the UK finals in Birmingham this March.
Suzanne Lawrence, Chief Executive at Orbis Education and Care, said: “We are immensely proud of all our nominees and winners at this year’s Great British Care Awards all-Wales final, and of all our colleagues generally here at Orbis Education and Care.
“In the past two years, we have experienced some of the most challenging times the care sector has ever seen, so to have their dedication and passion recognised on a wider scale really is more poignant than ever as we begin to look at life beyond the pandemic.”
“Our team at Bangeston Hall have shown great creativity and tenacity in ensuring the people they support have continued to live their best lives throughout the pandemic It is extremely gratifying to see one of our teams walk away with the ‘Covid Hero Team Award’,” Suzanne added.
Orbis Education and Care are recruiting now at its centres in Swansea and across Wales. For more information about the group visit www.orbis-group.co.uk.
A FAMILY has been left with nothing after a devastating house fire tore through their home in Tregunnor on Monday (Apr 7).
The blaze destroyed everything inside the house, leaving the homeowner, his children, and their family dog with only the clothes on their backs. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, but the emotional impact of losing their home and belongings has been described as “immeasurable.”
In the wake of the tragedy, a GoFundMe page has been launched by the homeowner’s nephew, Kian Evans, in an effort to help the family rebuild their lives. The fundraiser, titled “Tregunnor House Fire,” has so far raised £40 from two donors, with hopes that more support will follow.
Mr Evans praised the emergency services for their swift response and thanked the local community for their messages of support and solidarity.
He wrote: “They have lost everything, from furniture to cherished memories. The goal is to help them get back on their feet after such a traumatic experience. Every little helps.”
The family now face the daunting task of starting over, but thanks to the generosity of those around them, they are not facing it alone.
To donate to the fundraiser, visit: gofundme.com/f/tregunnor-house-fire
Photo caption:
The fire which destroyed a family home in Tregunnor (Pic: Herald).
A BROAD HAVEN man has pleaded guilty to stalking and to breaching his bail conditions on two occasions. He has denied a separate charge of criminal damage and is due to be sentenced later this month.
Thomas Jones, aged 34, of Croft Road, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Apr 7), where he was dealt with for multiple offences involving the same female complainant.
Jones admitted stalking Ms Knight between December 5, 2024, and January 22, 2025, in Milford Haven. The court heard that he visited her address several times, sent over 100 calls and messages in a short period in December, and left both a parcel and an envelope containing a spa voucher.
He initially denied the stalking charge, but changed his plea to guilty on March 17. The offence falls under Section 2A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
Jones has denied a charge of criminal damage alleged to have occurred on July 21, 2024, when he is accused of damaging a door, radiator, cat litter tray and scratch post belonging to Ms Knight. He pleaded not guilty to this allegation on January 24.
The court also heard that Jones was arrested twice in March for breaches of bail. On March 22, he missed a curfew condition by returning home five hours late. The following day, on March 23, he allegedly contacted Ms Knight directly, in breach of an order prohibiting contact. He admitted both breaches, though those matters were formally recorded as having been dealt with at an earlier hearing.
The magistrates’ bench was chaired by Mrs C Kendrick, sitting with Mrs A Taylor-Jones and Mrs J Morris. Dennis Davies appeared for the Crown Prosecution Service, and Jones was represented by Fenn Richards.
Jones has been remanded on conditional bail until his next hearing on April 22, 2025, at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court. Bail conditions include:
- Not to contact Tessa Knight directly or indirectly, except via an approved device for child contact purposes,
- Not to enter Milford Haven,
- To reside and sleep each night at 38 Croft Road, Broad Haven.
A pre-sentence report is being prepared ahead of the hearing.
A PEMBROKE DOCK man has pleaded guilty to assault and criminal damage during a domestic incident last year.
Sam Wilkins, aged 42, of Bethel Road, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Apr 7), where he admitted charges of assault by beating and causing criminal damage.
The offences took place on November 7, 2024, in Pembrokeshire. Wilkins was accused of assaulting a woman and damaging a coat valued at £60.
He also admitted breaching bail conditions on March 18, 2025, after contacting an individual he had been ordered not to communicate with.
The bench, chaired by Mrs C Kendrick, sitting with Mrs A Taylor-Jones and Mrs J Morris, remanded Wilkins on conditional bail until April 15, 2025, when he is due to return to court for sentencing.
Bail conditions include:
No contact, directly or indirectly, with named individuals involved in the case,
Not to enter a specified address in Kilgetty,
Child contact to be arranged via a third party only,
Full compliance with probation requirements for a pre-sentence report.
Wilkins was represented by Jess Hill, and the prosecution was led by Dennis Davies of CPS Wales (South West).
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